Time flies.
It seems like it was yesterday that I gave birth to Kailee. I still remember every detail. Sigh. Fast forward to now – Kailee is now three – 3! Can you believe it? I can’t! But I need to – because obviously, she’s really three years old!
For a while now, actually since last year – I have been asked the perennial question ‘Does she attend Pre-School?’. I want to know – is it recommended for a child at age 2 to attend pre-school? Can you tell me why? I want to know. Because you see, I was 4years old when I attended pre-school, and it wasn’t because it was I wanted to, but because my alma matter pegged the acceptance age for Kinder at 5years old, and so according to my mom – I needed to attend pre-school. My twin brother on the otherhand went straight to Nursery (this is what they call Kinder in Xavier School) without going through pre-school. So normally, with that set up, I would normally expect kids to attend pre-school at 4years old! But I was wrong! Nowadays – pre-schools accepts kids as young as 1.5years old! Well, I do understand the logic – since most parents are working, they would rather send their kids to a preschool that let them stay home with the yayas – there’s a point if you think of it that way. But I am personally afraid that the child might feel burnt out since they started school really young.
For the past few days, some of my friends on Facebook with kids as young as 2 years old, have been posting pictures their kid’s first day in school. When I see those pictures – I feel to pressured to send my Kailee to school! I am beginning to doubt myself and my decision of waiting – was I wrong to decide to send Kailee to pre-school next school year? Am I too doting and too protective for Kailee? Should I learn to let her go? Sigh…
Okay, I will admit – one of the reasons why I refuse to send Kailee to early pre-school is that I am still in denial that she is growing up. Yes. There, I said it! I feel that once I send her to pre-school, it’s already admitting to myself that – she is not my baby anymore – that she is moving up in the world! Another thing is that, I hear from so many of my friends that their child is sick every 2 weeks because they catch some virus in school. I also read complaints on their statuses that being absent (since the child is sick) is making them miss classes – sayang daw the tuition they pay – and mind you, it costs an arm and a leg nowadays!
I think also that my criteria for a good preschool may be too much. I’m listing them down – I’m sure they’re OA but – what the hell, I’m sharing it anyways. Hahaha!! I hope you can help me out. Bring me to my senses. Argue with me that I am wrong. HELP ME!!
CLEANLINESS
I like that when I enter the place, the place is clean. I mean really clean – no sign of dirt or things left for days. I am very anal with this because I know that when a place is dirty – there are germs and what do germs do? They cause people especially children to get sick! I’m sure you’ll ask why I’m so anal with cleanliness – well kids are very vulnerable. Compared to us adults, their immune system is just building up! They get sick more easily than we do, so naturally – to avoid getting sick, one must practice cleanliness.
Whenever I see blackened school walls and the owners/teachers do not mind it – it says something to of that particular school. Toys that are not cleaned and have dirt marks. Floors that look so old and unclean! Old bathrooms that are not maintained – tiles that are broken and really old. The list goes on. I have told myself that maybe, it’s just me – but excuse me. In my old High School – everything was clean – I mean everything, and that made me appreciate it evenmore. Are my standards too high when it comes to cleanliness? I hope not! But I feel they are and maarte lang ako. So?! hahaha!! Taray!
LOCATION
Even if I have the means to drive – I do not want to go too far. I’m sorry, but I will not and do not want to subject myself to traffic stress everyday! I have been hearing about this very good school all the way in White Plains – but even if its very good – my concern is – simply, traffic! Imagine, if the class starts at 8am – what time do I need to leave the house? What time does Kailee need to wake up? She still needs to have breakfast right? All in all – the travel time will entail +/- an hour. And Kailee waking up and eating and dressing up – about another +/- an hour. So that’s 2 hours! That means, we need to be awake at 6am and leave at 7am to be able to be make it on time for class! Ayoko ng ganon. Maybe when she gets to big school – I can consider driving a little father.
In my area – there are actually a LOT of pre-schools, but for the handful that I’ve check out – only one has passed my standards. Another great thing is that its super near me. I think 5 minutes away! Unfortunately, they are not open this school year – next school year is also in limbo – so there, my choices are limited. I have yet to check out three schools in my area, cross your fingers for me
CURRICULUM
I don’t mind that the preschool doesn’t have a Chinese classes. It’s a plus, but it’s not a must for me. But for my Panget – it’s a must. So, that’s another limitation that I need to consider. There are a LOT of preschool in QC that has Chinese on their curriculum – but the question is, do I like those particular schools? The answer is – I am not sure. I cringe actually when you ask me that – its because the kaartehan in me will be very frank to answer you while the polite Didi in me would just give you a weird smile and not say anything. These schools – mind you have produced really good kids but but but…. I don’t know – I feel like I’m being too choosy, but the schools I’ve been to? They don’t grab me. I am not drawn to them. Is it strange for me to feel that way?
Then there’s the Traditional VS Progressive system. I am so very confused to be honest, so very very confused. I grew up with the Traditional set up but some say that I should go the progressive way. It makes things more complicated. I think I need to sit down.
Another option I have is the home-school set up, but is there a homeschooling for pre-school?
There’s one more criteria in my list, but I choose not to share it. Writing it down Publishing it may cause me to overshare and I might be accused of being too sensitive. Hahaha! So for now, ito muna..
Please feel free to suggest or comment on this matter. I’d love to know what your thoughts are. Am I crazy or not? Overacting?
Tell me what you think!
Didi, ang dami kong kwento! :). You're lucky coz QC has a number of qualified pre-schools. Sa Caloocan, very limited lang, and some use the word "Montessori" pero hindi naman pala. I enrolled Gwen again this school year tapos 2nd week pa lang, ayaw na naman pumasok.
I think I failed in checking out the preschool first, kasi among the 3 schools na chineck ko, yun na ang matino, hindi pa rin pala. Another thing is Gwen lacks socialization skills talaga, the problem of only child. Masagi lang konti ng classmate, or magalaw lang yung things nya, ayaw na nya, medyo maarte kaya nga pinasok namin sa school para makainteract sa ibang bata, eh ayaw na agad 🙁
Next summer, pag may list ka na ng candidate schools mo, have Kailee attend their summer classes para lang din masanay si Kailee and to know the teaching style of the school.
Valid naman mga reasons mo and tama lang nga yung age ni Kailee, and schools are strict with age na talaga. Another thing is yung viruses nga, pag sa school hawa-hawa na.
I understand how you feel, Didi. Ganyan din ako when I started looking for a preschool for my daughter. Pinaka-confused ako sa traditional vs. progressive vs. Montessori because I was brought up via traditional schooling. Siguro for now, trim your choices. Then have Kailee attend trial classes (mga 1-day, some are even free) to see the school's teaching style and if she likes it there.
A parent also told me na okay din yung mga day care, though I haven't checked it out. As for homeschooling, maybe you can inquire about preschool programs (probably at DepEd?). Good luck on your school hunting!
Thanks for the vote of confidence Badet. Akala ko, ako lang maarte eh. Hehehe.. I really need to scout na talaga! Kelangan kong magsipag! Hahaha…
Yang Virus virus na yan.. Sobrang akong takot!! Ngayon pa nga lang stressfull na kapag may sakit mga bata e.. What more kung every 2 weeks may bagong sakit.. HAIZ!!
love, Didi
Thanks Michelle! I super need the wishes of good luck!! THanks for making me feel normal. Kala ko ako lang yung ganyan. I guess when its for my child – we look at things under a microscope. Ganito pala maging nanay? Hahaha!!!
See you soon!
Love, Didi
Didi ok lang yung virus. Normal lang yan sa 1st month di pa kasi sanay sa dirt, lalo na kung ang linis ng bahay niyo. After that masanay na si Kailan. Mga 3-4 yrs old ok na yung for preschool. Kasi if they start too old, sobrang lamang na mga classmates niya sa kanya if they attended 1 year of preschool na tapos si Kailan start palang. Pero if you teach her at home then level lang sila ng alam ok din yun, plus tipid pa sa tuition! Sabihin ko sana sayo preschool namin but sobrang layo sa inyo e. Hehe.
By! Joke ba yung Kailan? or serious? Hahaha!! Kailee name niya! Anyways, sabi nga ni TIu yung school niyo daw! Pero I think mahihimatay ako sa layo, plus kalaban ko pa traffic ng ICA-XS diba? Thanks for your input – pero question, 'lamangan' na ba ngayon ang labanan sa XS? Hihi.. Pero kasi ang ICA they require na nakapag pre-school e.. sigh.. Thanks By!! See you around! 🙂 Hugs to Lea and Wolver!
I think 4 years old is the best time to let your child attend a "regular" school. By that I mean a school which requires them to be there Mon-Fri. Maybe your little one can attend Gymboree or Kindermusik? I believe we should let our babies enjoy their childhood first.(:
Hi! My daughter went to Phil. Montessori Center at 2.5 yrs old. It is very well managed by Mrs. Woelhaff who trained in Paris for it. The children were 20 in a class with 4-5 teachers. My daughter learned to read before she turned 3. All their lessons are taught in a playful manner with all their great instruments and educational toys, it was great fun for the kids. My husband and i were allowed to watch them for 2 weeks but we left after a week bcos we could see how much fun she had. We lived all the way in New Manila at that time and there wasnt much traffic. My daughter always excelled in school after that until college and med school. I attribute it mostly to God's grace and the good teaching of
Phil. Montessori Center. I am sure there are now more good schools like that of Mrs. Woelhaff. Hope you find the best one for you and your child;)
Hi Daniel Kaity Bato! Yeah, I agree on the 4yo thing.. 🙂 I'll consider your suggestion of Gymboree and Kindermusik!!
Thanks for dropping by!
Love, Didi
Hi Mollycule!! PMC is really far from me! I have friends who put their kids there and they're very happy and I can see how good they are in academics!! Its really the distance – I live farther than New Manila so I'm sure getting there will be a hellish and I don't want that for my child. Thanks for your comment, I really appreciate it! I really hope that I find a preschool that I like – and that has all those criterias that I have! Hihi..
Love, Didi
Found you by being curious about your instagram name, and I clicked over. I've been spending the last fifteen minutes being entertained by your kuwentos on this blog!:) You really do have a passionate talent for storytelling!
Another vote here for PMC! I live in Pasig and make a 30-40 minute trip in the morning. My daughter started toddler school in Poveda at 2.5 years old and it's basically play school and not tiring at all. But then the kinder program turns traditional all of a sudden, and after researching on the different methods I decided on Montessori, visited a class and the rest is history. I always thought I'd send my child to my alma mater but now I'm completely sold on Montessori. I even share about using it at home!
I think because we were raised in the traditional school way, we think putting kids in school early means it'll pressure them, but if you find the right school it won't.
Lastly if you want to explore homeschooling, you can check The Learning Basket blog. There's a big boom in the homeschooling community and a lot of resources and workshops which they share.
Good luck! Choosing a preschool is the first anxious choice every mom makes!
That's amazing! I'm so glad to read that your daughter is in med school and successful, of all things, because of her early schooling. Every mom hopes for the same!
Thank you super DIY Corporate Mom!! 🙂 Thank you so much for your compliment! Kinilig naman ako ng marami! Yes, I agree with you na my fear stems from being taught in a traditional school. I really felt that if my child would spend more than 13 years in that type of environment, she will get burnt out! I saw nga how it was in EduPlay and she enjoyed her stay there. I think we will have Kailee start pre-school in the 2nd semester.
Thanks for your homeschool referrals. I am thinking about it – but I'm super scared kasi I don't have the patience to teach. Ayoko naman na mag-away kami ni Kailee.
Even in Pasig you still spend 30-40 minutes? Traffic ba? I have a lot of friends who are over the moon with PMC.
Thank you for being curious enough to read my entried! I'm glad you were entertained! I hope to meet you someday!!
Love, Didi
Hi, how was your child after entering preschool? Is it worth it? Do you have any suggestions about the best preschool in Pasig?